Great Food and Atmosphere, but Disappointing Coffee
Union Cafe is conveniently located near the cruise port and offers a lovely vibe with excellent food. The relaxing atmosphere really stood out, making it an enjoyable place to spend time.
I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious my eggs were, and my friend’s dishes, as seen in the photos, looked and tasted fantastic as well. The food was definitely a highlight.
However, the coffee was a letdown. In my experience, coffee in New Zealand tends to be hit or miss, and unfortunately, this time it was a miss. The coffee was bitter and watery, so much so that I couldn’t finish it.
On the bright side, the outdoor seating area is cute and would be a great option if it’s not too cold.
Overall, Union Cafe is worth a visit for the food and atmosphere, but not a huge fan of the coffee.
ivica marinic
-
February 12, 2026
I understand that it must be difficult to deal with people who may want to customize everything and therefore have a policy where you have to stick to the menu and respect that. However, for the menu item: Bacon, egg and bagel, to refuse to serve the egg and bacon without the bagel is insanity!
Please allow your servers to use common sense. I am 63 and this has never happened to me in my life.
Sad.
Marie Bohatá
-
January 04, 2026
(gluten free info below)
I recommend this place, mainly because of its great location. You can watch what's happening on the street and in the port while sipping your coffee from indoors thanks to beautiful big windows, or when you sit outside. Love the tree! It's a small coffee shop but the atmosphere is great. Parking is easy and after your brunch you can buy icecream nearby and go for little walk with it. If you come from the cruise ship, the townhall market is just across the street. There are little artistic notebooks you can flip through. I look forward to every visit when I drive to Aramoana. Delicious food, but if you are on gluten free diet, get only coffee - read below.
I visited this place few times, but ate here only two times - once in March 2025 and in January 2026.
If you are on GF diet (meaning you're coeliac or allergic) you must be aware at this point what Russian rullette it is to eat out because many places offer gluten free food but in reality, the food is not gluten free at all - it is contamined during preparation or when serving. I would rather know that the place is not safe for me to eat than be tempted because it offers gluten free. The stuff must be informed well enough which is not always the case, so you feel like an idiot asking tens of questions.
My first experience here in March 2025 was the best. I ordered benedict eggs, my non-GF friend enjoyed his breakfast, too. We enjoyed reading through newspaper and watching what's happening on the street. I had zero reaction after the food and had a really wonderful experience overall.
In the meantime I stopped a few times for a coffee.
When it goes to Jan 26 experience, it was not as good as the first time. I had trouble to read through the menu on the wall (it is beautiful but was hard for me to read and navigate), so I asked again multiple questions regarding any changes in the menu and gluten free options but did not receive clear answers (I know it is on the board somewhere but I cannot find it, that's why I asked you - please help me find where exactly on the board it is or tell me directly.). The sweet items on the display were on separate plates, but I had trouble to read the labels and find out which are gluten free and for what price (thicker and darker pen would make it easier to read). I ordered GF food, coffee, and someting sweet. Not much to read this time. However, I got glutened… so from now on as a coeliac I will order only coffee here because I like the space so I still want to support it. If you don't have any dietery restrictions, enjoy your food here but after my last experience I would not recommend to eat here if you need true GF.
Karagiozis
-
November 11, 2023
It's a great place, cafe interior could be refreshed but it's Dunedin and it maybe the look they want. Not much in the way of hiking and could walk around the Port if you wish. Many cafes and shops around. Depending on the time you can get excellent photography shots.
It's a nice place. Need to try restaurants next time and spend a little longer. I was working in a cafe for a bit .
Wendy Bevan
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December 03, 2024
Solid 2.5 stars💕 experience .
coffee taste free, though was brown and warm, baked item as depicted lacked any flavor sans cinnamon.
Tiny butter pat improved it. Solid 2.5 stars.
Cleanliness and comfort solid 2.5 stars.
Our Address
2 George Street, Port Chalmers, Dunedin 9023, New Zealand
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Great Food and Atmosphere, but Disappointing Coffee Union Cafe is conveniently located near the cruise port and offers a lovely vibe with excellent food. The relaxing atmosphere really stood out, making it an enjoyable place to spend time. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious my eggs were, and my friend’s dishes, as seen in the photos, looked and tasted fantastic as well. The food was definitely a highlight. However, the coffee was a letdown. In my experience, coffee in New Zealand tends to be hit or miss, and unfortunately, this time it was a miss. The coffee was bitter and watery, so much so that I couldn’t finish it. On the bright side, the outdoor seating area is cute and would be a great option if it’s not too cold. Overall, Union Cafe is worth a visit for the food and atmosphere, but not a huge fan of the coffee.
I understand that it must be difficult to deal with people who may want to customize everything and therefore have a policy where you have to stick to the menu and respect that. However, for the menu item: Bacon, egg and bagel, to refuse to serve the egg and bacon without the bagel is insanity! Please allow your servers to use common sense. I am 63 and this has never happened to me in my life. Sad.
(gluten free info below) I recommend this place, mainly because of its great location. You can watch what's happening on the street and in the port while sipping your coffee from indoors thanks to beautiful big windows, or when you sit outside. Love the tree! It's a small coffee shop but the atmosphere is great. Parking is easy and after your brunch you can buy icecream nearby and go for little walk with it. If you come from the cruise ship, the townhall market is just across the street. There are little artistic notebooks you can flip through. I look forward to every visit when I drive to Aramoana. Delicious food, but if you are on gluten free diet, get only coffee - read below. I visited this place few times, but ate here only two times - once in March 2025 and in January 2026. If you are on GF diet (meaning you're coeliac or allergic) you must be aware at this point what Russian rullette it is to eat out because many places offer gluten free food but in reality, the food is not gluten free at all - it is contamined during preparation or when serving. I would rather know that the place is not safe for me to eat than be tempted because it offers gluten free. The stuff must be informed well enough which is not always the case, so you feel like an idiot asking tens of questions. My first experience here in March 2025 was the best. I ordered benedict eggs, my non-GF friend enjoyed his breakfast, too. We enjoyed reading through newspaper and watching what's happening on the street. I had zero reaction after the food and had a really wonderful experience overall. In the meantime I stopped a few times for a coffee. When it goes to Jan 26 experience, it was not as good as the first time. I had trouble to read through the menu on the wall (it is beautiful but was hard for me to read and navigate), so I asked again multiple questions regarding any changes in the menu and gluten free options but did not receive clear answers (I know it is on the board somewhere but I cannot find it, that's why I asked you - please help me find where exactly on the board it is or tell me directly.). The sweet items on the display were on separate plates, but I had trouble to read the labels and find out which are gluten free and for what price (thicker and darker pen would make it easier to read). I ordered GF food, coffee, and someting sweet. Not much to read this time. However, I got glutened… so from now on as a coeliac I will order only coffee here because I like the space so I still want to support it. If you don't have any dietery restrictions, enjoy your food here but after my last experience I would not recommend to eat here if you need true GF.
It's a great place, cafe interior could be refreshed but it's Dunedin and it maybe the look they want. Not much in the way of hiking and could walk around the Port if you wish. Many cafes and shops around. Depending on the time you can get excellent photography shots. It's a nice place. Need to try restaurants next time and spend a little longer. I was working in a cafe for a bit .
Solid 2.5 stars💕 experience . coffee taste free, though was brown and warm, baked item as depicted lacked any flavor sans cinnamon. Tiny butter pat improved it. Solid 2.5 stars. Cleanliness and comfort solid 2.5 stars.